July 26, 2012
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MJ Li
MJ Li
Tai Chi
Our new Shifu has started with classes at Parliament where I am working. I am taking the bold step of having two teachers Shifu Suliman Sampson with whom I am training near my home and now Shifu MJ Li. It is difficult because everyone have a slightly different interpretation of Tai Chi. Both studies for a considerable time in China and both started at a very young age. MJ Li has a series of world championship wins to proof his mastery of the art of Kung Fu and is currently representing Sough Africa for the third time at the Legends of Kung Fu martial arts world championship in Houston, USA.
Working for an employer that is willing to pay for such a caliber person as a coach in Tai Chi is indeed an honor. Below is a picture of the first time when MJ Li came to our Tai Chi club. He is the one in Green and if you do not know me yet, I am the guy in the blue shirt.
Although it is traditional for Tai Chi to be practiced in nature we have the luxury of a beautiful hall where we can do Tai Chi. The walls of the hall is covered by life large pictures of Monarchs and Rulers from the colonial times. We do Tai Chi on a beautiful carpet in a hall with large windows where the sun can shine in. Really a special venue. Below is a picture of the class following instructions from MJ li. I am on the far right of the picture. Most of the people just started out with Tai Chi so there is still much confusion in the class.
A side effect of the interest in Tai Chi is that I have a renewed interest in the I-ching (Book of changes) and the Tao. So there is much reading again for me and seeking to apply the theory of yin and yang in my life.
Has Tai Chi influenced my life. More than I would like to acknowledge. Physically definitely. My wife started to compliment me on how I look and now even some of her friends are beginning to compliment her. So yes, I lost weight, became more subtle and focused with a better posture within less than 9 months of practice. I might have been able to do something similar with other programmes but Tai Chi definitely delivered on its promise. What is more is that I enjoyed every moment of Tai Chi and always feel good after having finished a class or practice session.
Comments (4)
May the force always be wuith you, my brother.
Great stuff. Nice to see you keeping up the life skills. I Ching has been a huge part of my younger life and helped me through many a confusing time.
Glad to see you have taking to Tai chi. I still teach it to my condo ladies and go to an advanced class once a week. We have no place as lovely as you have but it doesn't stop us. I feel the positivity of tai chi keeps me on the good side of life.
@catstemplar2 - The force flows from all directions...thank you Brother.
@Relic47 - Glad to meet another person with an interest in the I-Ching. Keeping up the life skills becomes more important as we age.
@GoodGuyTheBoss - Yes, I seldom start something without putting my everything into it. "If you do something you do it full out" has been a motto of mine for some time.
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